7 Cancer-Fighting Culinary Spices and Herbs

"Spices and herbs have long been used
for medicinal purposes, such as fighting indigestion and other digestive
problems. Although science is uncertain about the direct benefits of
consuming certain spices and herbs with regard to protecting against and
fighting cancer and its side effects, their indirect beneficial effects
may be more easily recognized.
One such effect is their unique flavor profile, which ranges from
strong to mild, with only small amounts needed to create a whole new
taste sensation. When cancer-related loss of appetite and taste changes
occur, which can lead to undesirable weight loss, adding herbs and
spices to your cooking may help stimulate your taste buds and
reinvigorate your appetite.

Ginger

Ginger has long been used in folk medicine to
treat everything from colds to constipation. Ginger can be used fresh,
in powdered form (ginger spice), or candied. Although the flavor between
fresh and ground ginger is significantly different, they can be
substituted for one another in many recipes. In general, you can replace
1/8 teaspoon of ground ginger with 1 tablespoon of fresh grated ginger,
and vice versa.
Consuming ginger and ginger products, in addition to taking any
anti-nausea medications as prescribed, may provide some comfort for a
queasy stomach during cancer treatment.

Rosemary

Rosemary is a hearty, woody Mediterranean herb
that has needlelike leaves and is a good source of antioxidants. Because
of its origin, rosemary is commonly used in Mediterranean cooking and
you’ll often see it included as a primary ingredient in Italian
seasonings. You can use it to add flavor to soups, tomato-based sauces,
bread, and high-protein foods like poultry, beef, and lamb.
Rosemary may help with detoxification; taste changes; indigestion,
flatulence, and other digestive problems; and loss of appetite. Try
drinking up to 3 cups of rosemary leaf tea daily for help with these
problems.

Turmeric

Turmeric is an herb in the ginger family; it's
the ingredient that makes many curries yellow and gives it its
distinctive flavor. Curcumin appears to be the active compound in
turmeric. This compound has demonstrated antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory properties, potentially protecting against cancer
development.
Turmeric extract supplements are currently being studied to see if
they have a role in preventing and treating some cancers, including
colon, prostate, breast, and skin cancers. Although results appear
promising, they have largely been observed in laboratory and animal
studies, so it’s unclear whether these results will ultimately translate
to humans.

Chile peppers

Chile peppers contain capsaicin, a compound
that can relieve pain. When capsaicin is applied topically to the skin,
it causes the release of a chemical called substance P. Upon continued use, the amount of substance P eventually produced in that area decreases, reducing pain in the area.
But this doesn’t mean you should go rubbing chile peppers where you
have pain. Chile peppers need to be handled very carefully, because they
can cause burns if they come in contact with the skin.
Therefore, if you have pain and want to harness the power of chile
peppers, ask your oncologist or physician about prescribing a capsaicin
cream. It has shown pretty good results with regard to treating neuropathic pain (sharp, shocking pain that follows the path of a nerve) after surgery for cancer.
Another benefit of chile peppers is that they may help with
indigestion. Seems counterintuitive, right? But some studies have shown
that ingesting small amounts of cayenne may reduce indigestion.

Garlic

Garlic belongs to the Allium class of
bulb-shaped plants, which also includes chives, leeks, onions, shallots,
and scallions. Garlic has a high sulfur content and is also a good
source of arginine, oligosaccharides, flavonoids, and selenium, all of
which may be beneficial to health. Garlic’s active compound, called allicin, gives it its characteristic odor and is produced when garlic bulbs are chopped, crushed, or otherwise damaged.
Several studies suggest that increased garlic intake reduces the risk
of cancers of the stomach, colon, esophagus, pancreas, and breast. It
appears that garlic may protect against cancer through numerous
mechanisms, including by inhibiting bacterial infections and the
formation of cancer-causing substances, promoting DNA repair, and
inducing cell death. Garlic supports detoxification and may also support
the immune system and help reduce blood pressure.

Peppermint

Peppermint is a natural hybrid cross between
water mint and spearmint. It has been used for thousands of years as a
digestive aid to relieve gas, indigestion, cramps, and diarrhea. It may
also help with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and food poisoning.
Peppermint appears to calm the muscles of the stomach and improve the
flow of bile, enabling food to pass through the stomach more quickly.
If your cancer or treatment is causing an upset stomach, try drinking
a cup of peppermint tea. Many commercial varieties are on the market,
or you can make your own by boiling dried peppermint leaves in water or
adding fresh leaves to boiled water and letting them steep for a few
minutes until the tea reaches the desired strength.
Peppermint can also soothe a sore throat. For this reason, it is also
sometimes used to relieve the painful mouth sores that can occur from
chemotherapy and radiation, or is a key ingredient in treatments for
this condition.

Chamomile

Chamomile is thought to have medicinal benefits
and has been used throughout history to treat a variety of conditions.
Chamomile may help with sleep issues; if sleep is a problem for you, try
drinking a strong chamomile tea shortly before bedtime.
Chamomile mouthwash has also been studied for preventing and treating
mouth sores from chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Although the
results are mixed, there is no harm in giving it a try, provided your
oncologist is not opposed. If given the green light, simply make the
tea, let it cool, and rinse and gargle as often as desired.
Chamomile tea may be another way to manage digestive problems,
including stomach cramps. Chamomile appears to help relax muscle
contractions, particularly the smooth muscles of the intestines."